The Andean Community's approach to trade liberalization and development

This chapter explains how the Andean Community (CAN) has developed a distinctive framework where regional integration is an instrument to achieve social and economic development and political cooperation. It reviews the internal and external measures that the CAN adopted. The objective of this chapter is threefold: first, it presents some background of the CAN and its main features; second, it sets out specific examples of how the CAN influences trade relations beyond the region and reciprocally, how the group is influenced by other trade laws and policies; and third, it highlights challenges facing it through illustrations and examples. It argues that the CAN has a multifaceted approach to trade and development beyond a technocratic view of integration which responds to business interests only, instead combining trade policies with social inclusion of vulnerable populations.